I would like to add : Is it worth buying this book, .. do you generally recommend it?

SCC is an excellent training resource, very much worth buying. Since the authors are presumably looking to get compensated for the effort they put into this book, I seriously doubt you're going to get it for free in PDF form.

Even if it did exist in PDF form (probably illegally), it wouldn't have the DVD that comes with it which is a wonderful resource showing what the text talks about re techniques and exercises. Probably this book and The Rock Warrior's Way are two of the best on technique and training (physical and mental)

I think SCC is a truly great book. If your goal is to get from 5.9 to 5.10...11...12...13, you could probably not make a better investment.

I'm not sure about getting to 5.14 or more, because I just don't know anything about what that means. I suspect the book wouldn't help as much at those levels, but I really don't know.

The real reason I responded, though, is your #3. Rather than squawk about how poorly you perceive some who post here, why not strive to improve it? This is your site. Its as good as you make it.

I know I always read aerili's posts, and I think she has made the training forums better, and certainly more informed and accurate. I have tried to do the same in the injury forum, and I'd like to think the quality has improved there as well.

Bitching and flaming just decrease the signal-to-noise ratio. There is some good stuff here, you just have to search it out.

Even if it did exist in PDF form (probably illegally), it wouldn't have the DVD that comes with it which is a wonderful resource showing what the text talks about re techniques and exercises. Probably this book and The Rock Warrior's Way are two of the best on technique and training (physical and mental)

Plenty of things can be legally downloaded in PDF format, just like you can legally download music files. Video files are also downloadable. "King Lines" video, for example, can be downloaded. Supertopo books can be downloaded in PDF. I guess maybe you're referring to bootleg scanned PDFs(?)

Legal, yes. Free, no. I've never seen a PDF format for SCC, but I've never really looked.

Regarding other posts... yes SCC is good, perhaps supplemented with Eric Horsts "Conditioning for Climbing" for those who want more coverage of injury prevention, resistance training etc. SCC is probably the best discussion on COG and how it relates to movement that I've seen, and Conditioning for Climbing is extensive on training...

As far as "Rock Warriors Way" goes, I'm a bit on the fence. I'm sure its helpful for many, but for me there wasn't much in it I hadn't figured out for myself.

I was looking at getting for this book, but the book used book store in town does not have this but it does have Training for Climbing by Eric Horst I think. Is SCC a better guide than training for climbing?

Both Training for Climbing and SCC have plenty of value, but in my opinion you get waaay more in terms of movement and physical training info from SCC. I'm not sure what Horst's background is, but Dan and Doug have coached dozens (hundreds maybe?) of climbers over the years. It shows in the methodical and even scientific approach they take to training in the book.

There's a lot to like in SCC: large variety of exercises with varying rep and set targets (depending on the goals of the specific exercise), descriptions of balance, technique tricks, theories of training, physiology info and training plans.

One thing that isn't talked about much is cross-training and injury prevention; for those topics I think TFC does a better job. That kind of stuff is pretty basic though, at least in my opinion: listen to your body, take plenty of rest days, and do oppositional exercises twice a week to keep your tendons happy as you get stronger.

If you're gonna buy one training book, do yourself a favor and make it the Self-Coached Climber. It's been the only thing getting me off the couch and in to the gym this winter.

I was looking at getting for this book, but the book used book store in town does not have this but it does have Training for Climbing by Eric Horst I think. Is SCC a better guide than training for climbing?